Slovenia

Slovenia

Discreet, yet charming and beautiful, Slovenia is a true hidden gem. Tucked away between Italy, Austria, Croatia
and Hungary, Slovenia offers mesmerizing landscapes for nature lovers. Here, you will find anything that you need to enjoy a relaxing and unforgettable vacation.

The capital, Ljubljana dates back to the Middle Ages, rebuilt under the Austrian Empire, renovated by the famous Slovenian architect Plecnik, and dotted with touches of Art Nouveau architecture.

Located on the border of the Austrian Alps, Bled and its majestic lake are the entryway to the “Triglav” national park, which lies at the heart of the mountain and valleys.

The town of Piran, also known as “the Italian”, brims with Venetian charm on the Adriatic Sea.

It is a real pleasure to spend a holiday in Slovenia at any season. The choice of activities to enjoy while here is endless: biking, sailing, golfing, hiking in the mountain, skiing and many cultural excursions.

Description

Slovenia

Introduction

Discreet, yet charming and beautiful, Slovenia is a true hidden gem. Tucked away between Italy, Austria, Croatia
and Hungary, Slovenia offers mesmerizing landscapes for nature lovers. Here, you will find anything that you need to enjoy a relaxing and unforgettable vacation.

The capital, Ljubljana dates back to the Middle Ages, rebuilt under the Austrian Empire, renovated by the famous Slovenian architect Plecnik, and dotted with touches of Art Nouveau architecture.

Located on the border of the Austrian Alps, Bled and its majestic lake are the entryway to the “Triglav” national park, which lies at the heart of the mountain and valleys.

The town of Piran, also known as “the Italian”, brims with Venetian charm on the Adriatic Sea.

It is a real pleasure to spend a holiday in Slovenia at any season. The choice of activities to enjoy while here is endless: biking, sailing, golfing, hiking in the mountain, skiing and many cultural excursions.

Itineraries in
Slovenia

Slovenia via Venice in 15 days

Day
1
-
Venice, free day

-Arrival at hotel, near Campo Santi Apostoli, a typically Venetian plaza, with beautiful leafy trees, and white benches to relax.

-Take a few minutes to explore this local area, by passing by the Campo Santa Maria Nova and the Church of Miracles — a charming Renaissance jewel — or the Campo San Givanni e Paolo and the Scuola Grande di San Marco; or admire the gorgeous ancient synagogues of the Jewish Ghetto. This is your chance to dive into the authentic and charming Venice.

History & Culture

Day
2
-
Venice, free day

Continue to discover Venice, the city with 177 canals (the most important of which is the Grand Canal), 455 bridges (mostly arched to let the boats pass), 123 churches, and extends over 118 islands located between the mouth of the Adige (to the south) and the Piave (to the north).

History & Culture

Day
3
-
Venice, free day

Spend the day discovering this romantic city’s many famous monuments and plazas, craft and quality boutiques.

History & Culture

Day
4
-
Venise - Trieste - Piran

-After breakfast, depart for Piran in Slovenia, with a stop in Trieste, a historical town–also known as “the last city of the North East” of Italy–at the intersection of Latin, Germanic and Slavic influences.

-Arrival on the 47 km Slovenian coastline, bordered by Italy, and Croatia.

Authentic Travels

Day
5
-
Piran - Portorož - Sečovlje salt marshes

-Located to the north of the Adriatic and at the heart of the Slovenian Istria, the ancient city of Piran will seduce with its charm and authenticity.

-Free time to visit the historic town of Piran, which is today a bilingual (Italian and Slovenian) seaside resort.

-Discover Portorož, a seaside town with the only sand beach in Slovenia.

-Head to the salt marshes of Sečolje, on the border of Croatia. The salt production at one time drove in a lot of business from Venice.

History & Culture

Day
6
-
Piran - Postojna - Ljubljana

-Depart for the Karst region at the heart of the country.

-Visit the easily accessible caves of Postojna, the most visited caves in Europe.

-Visit Predjama Castle, a castle flanked on a mountain, covering an immense cave.

-Afternoon arrival in Ljubljana. Hotel in the city center at the edge of the pedestrian area. 3 nights in Ljubljana.

Nature

Day
7
-
Ljubljana

Guided visit of the town by foot and by boat on the Ljubljanica, the river that flows through the capital.
With a population just under 300,000, Ljubljana is the political, administrative, and commercial capital of Slovenia.

Wander along the banks of the Ljubljanica at the foot of the 12th century castle and the many monuments, vestiges the city’s Roman, Medieval, Baroque, Art Nouveau and Modern past.

History & Culture

Day
8
-
Arboretum, Golf

-Leisurely day to visit a museum, walk around the Tivoli Park.

-Departure for the medieval town of Kamnik and its surroundings, which include an arboretum and a golf course.

Nature

Day
9
-
Kočevje

Departure for Lower Carniola to the East of the country for the excursion to bear country.

Nature

Day
10
-
Kočevje/Skofja Loka/Bled

Return to the North West of the country.

Enjoy a lovely stop at Otočec, a castle on the Krka, and then continue past Ljubljana to Škofja loka, another small Medieval town before ending up in Bled, the pearl of the Julian Alps.

2 nights in Bled.

History & Culture

Day
11
-
Bled

-Visit this glacial lake, famous for international rowing competitions. This is one of the most visited sites in Slovenia (after the caves of Postojna).

-Cross the lake with a “Pletna” (the local gondola) to the only island of the country to visit its church with votive a bell.

-Climb by car or on foot to the thousand-year-old castle overlooking the lake at a height at about 100 meters.

-Suggested afternoon excursion to the Lake Bohinj, about 25 kilometers to the north. Drive through this gorgeous Alpine region, with its small typical villages at the foot of the Triglav national park. Triglav is the highest Slovenian mountain (2864 meters high). The area around this lake is a hiker’s paradise.

Nature

Day
12
-
Bled/ Kranjska gora/ Vrsic/ Kobarid

-Depart for Kranjska Gora. After a stop in this lovely Slovenian ski resort, take the road to the Vršič Pass with its 25 turns which will give you breathtaking views of the Julian Alps. On your way down you will drive through the Trenta valley along the gorgeous crystal clear River Soca.

-Arrival in Kobarid, a village famous for trout fishing, and the famous Battle of Caporetto between Italians and Austrians during the First World War, described in Ernest Hemingway ‘s “Farewell to Arms”.

-Night in a hostel with an exceptional restaurant.

Nature

Day
13
-
Udine

-Another crossing through the Julian Alps towards a breathtaking region shaped by the Napoleonic wars, World War I and earthquakes.

-Return towards Italy to reach Udine, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region with a splendid castle and church overlooking the town.

Nature

Day
14
-
Udine/Padoue/Verone/Lake Garda

Day full of stops in historic and famous cities like Padua, Verona, and finally Lake Garda, the largest lake of the Italian Alps for 2 nights.

History & Culture

Day
15
-
Lake Garda

“Lake Garda is the ideal place for a customized holiday for nature lovers, sports enthusiasts and for those who wish to discover beautiful places rich in history and culture. ”

Lifestyle

Slovenia Itinerary in 8 day

Day
1
-
Piran/Postojna

-Located on the Adriatic, at the heart of Slovenian Istria, the ancient city of Piran will seduce with its charm and authenticity. Classified as a historical site, newcomers will revel in Piran’s narrow cobbled streets, small medieval houses and numerous churches.

-Free day to visit Piran, which is nowadays a bilingual (Slovenian and Italian) seaside resort.

-Continue to Portorož, a seaside resort with a sandy beach–a rarity on the Slovenian coast– casinos, and grand hotels.

-Continue to the salt marshes of Sečovlje, on the Croatian border. At one time, these were what brought wealth to this region.

Night in Piran

Nature

Day
2
-
Piran/Postojna to Ljublijana

-After breakfast, depart for Karst, inside the country.

-Visit the most visited caves in all of Europe, the caves of Postojna.

-Lunch is possible at the entrance of the caves or if you would prefer to travel another 9 km to Predjama Castle, a dramatic castle built in the gaping mouth of a cavern halfway up a 123m cliff. At this picturesque spot, you can have lunch in the local restaurant near the entrance to the site.

-Arrival in Ljublijana at your hotel which is in the pedestrian center city.

3 nights in Ljublijana.

Nature

Day
3
-
Ljubljana

-Guided tour of the city by foot and by boat on the Ljubljanica river. Ljubljana is the political, administrative, and commercial capital of Slovenia, as well as a university town, with a bit under 300,000 people living here.

Surrender to this city’s charming atmosphere along the river’s banks at the foot of the 12th century castle and the numerous structures which are vestiges of the city’s roman, medieval, baroque, and art nouveau past.

History & Culture

Day
4
-
Ljubljana - Arboretum

-Leisurely day to visit the museum, walk through the Tivoli park.

-Depart for Kamnik region to discover the arboretum and the golf course.

History & Culture

Day
5
-
Kočevje

-After breakfast, depart for Lower Carniola to the East of the country and get ready for an excursion to Bear Country.

Authentic Travels

Day
6
-
Kočevje /Skofja Loka

-After breakfast, return to the northwest of the country.

-Enjoy a nice stop at Otočec, a castle on the Krka.

-Take the highway passing by Ljubljana towards Škofja loka, another medieval town before returning to Bled, the pearl of the Julian Alps.

2 nights in Bled.

History & Culture

Day
7
-
Bled

Discover this glacial lake, large enough for rowing competitions, and the second most visited spot in Slovenia, after the Postojna caves.

-Take the pletna (local gondola) which will allow you to visit the only Slovenian island.

-Drive up to visit the thousand-year old castle dominating the lake.

-In the afternoon, visit Bohinj Lake, 25 km further north.

-Drive through the alpine region, through the small villages, just on the edge of Triglav national park.